Food remedy for chronic diarrhea

There are a number of different causes of diarrhea in Chinese medicine, and they all require very different treatments. The type that I am concerning myself with here is considered a deficiency-type diarrhea. Symptoms will include watery or soft stools with undigested food, improvement of discomfort with pressure or a warm compress, weakness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, fatigue, bloating after meals, and the like.

In general, with symptoms like these, it is wise to avoid anything cold in temperature or uncooked. Dairy products will also make symptoms worse. It is better to take a dairy-free probiotic than to try to get your healthy bacteria from yogurt or kefir until the symptoms resolve. A probiotic is an essential supplement for anyone experience digestive distress.

Classically, warm, roasted or baked, steamed and boiled foods are encouraged, as are foods that are cooked for long periods of time (like congee). A millet congee with warming cinnamon, apples and raisins will be beneficial. The same recipe can be made with rice. Fennel seeds can also be added, but remove them before consuming the congee. A cup of decaf chai tea would not be amiss.

These recipes may also be helpful for people experiencing essentially the same type of diarrhea but with pressure exacerbating symptoms instead of ameliorating them.